PREVENTING FATAL FALLS IN THE WORKPLACE
Falls can occur in any workplace industry or setting – industrial, construction or office. Any walking/working surface in the workplace could be a potential fall hazard. According to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50 work-related fatalities resulted from falls in Texas (the fifth leading cause of fatalities). Two thirds of the falls occurred in the construction industry.
Employers should use appropriate controls such as personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolds, safe lifting techniques, and housekeeping to prevent falls in the workplace. Likewise, they should train all employees who may be exposed to fall hazards on how to recognize such hazards, and how to minimize their exposure to them.
TDI-DWC Resources
- Fall Protection for the Construction Industry (English/Spanish)
- Fall Protection Sample OSHA Written Program (Word format)
- Ladder Safety - Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish)
- Office Safety Workplace Program (English/Spanish)
- Personal Fall Protection Systems - Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish)
- Preventing Slips and Trips - English/Spanish
- Scaffold Safety (English/Spanish)
- Slips and Falls Prevention Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish) -
- Free Audiovisual Loans (related safety training audiovisual materials can be found under "Construction Safety", "Fall Protection", "Ladder Safety", and "Scaffolding Safety")
Other Resources
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Fall Protection in Residential Construction
- OSHA - Residential Fall Protection
- OSHA - Fall Protection
- OSHA - Fall Protection - It’s a Snap
- OSHA - Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction
- OSHA - Falls in Construction (eTOOL)
- Texas State Office of Risk Management - Video on Slips, Trips and Falls - included 3/6/12
